MADISON, Wis. – The NIU women's soccer team (1-1-1) suffered their first loss of the 2017 season by a score of 2-1 to Wisconsin (3-1) in Madison on Sunday afternoon.
 
"We had a good fight in the game today," Head Coach John Ross said. "We need to relieve their pressure more during the second half and we couldn't do that."
 
The game was scoreless at halftime as the Huskies did a good job to keep Wisconsin off the board as the Badgers took ten shots. Early on, NIU did get two corner kicks but were unable to take advantage and find a way to score.
 
NIU goalkeeper Amy Annala (Oswego, Ill./Oswego) make four saves on the six shots on goal but Wisconsin was able to break through in the second half. The opening goal was scored in the 58^th minute by Cameron Murtha of Wisconsin who finished off a corner kick. About 14 minutes later, the Badgers got their second of the game when Victoria Pickett scored in the 71^st minute.
 
"Once our gaps in between lines opened up a bit they took advantage," Ross said. "They are a very strong team and didn't give us much margin for error."
 
Those were Annala's first two goals allowed this season after back-to-back shutouts with the NIU keeper making 12 saves in the first three games. Delaney Loprieno once again played the full match at center back for the three-straight game to start the season, seemingly locking down her spot on the defensive unit.
 
The Huskies tried to mount a late comeback by subbing in a more offensive lineup but they could not find the back of the net. They had one close call as Taylor Sarver took NIU's first shot of the match in the 88^th minute but Wisconsin's keeper was able to make the save.
 
"We learned a lot about ourselves and will be better for it going forward," Ross said.
 
NIU women's soccer will return to action in three days as they will head to Chicago to take on UIC at 7:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday night.